Posts

Preparation Pottery is having a moment. Ceramics is no longer just thought of as a craft taken up in retirement or taught in elementary school. Mugs are no longer simply knick-knack memorabilia brought home from gift shops, but being sold alongside gorgeous jewelry and fancy clothing at places like Mociun and Steven Alan. Thanks to Instagram, ceramicists have been given a spotlight and more and more are actually able to foster careers making their functional-and beautiful-art....

Preparation Not only are they easy to make, chocolate truffles just might be one of the most versatile confections for flavor customization. Here are a dozen different coatings you can use to add unique flavor to every chocolaty bite. Above are 12 coating ideas, left to right starting top left: Matcha (green tea powder): Coating chocolate truffles in matcha gives a rich herbal green tea flavor. And the vivid green color gives these truffles a stunning look....

Ingredients 2 cups Original Bisquick™ mix 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2/3 cup milk 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon milk 1/2 teaspoon vanilla Candy sprinkles, if desired Preparation Heat oven to 425°F. Spray mini doughnut pan with cooking spray. In medium bowl, mix all doughnut ingredients with spoon until blended. Spoon batter into pan, using about 1 tablespoon for each doughnut....

Ingredients 1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ white cake mix Water, vegetable oil and egg whites called for on cake mix box Gel food colors (neon pink, classic yellow, neon green, classic blue) 1 container Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting Betty Crocker™ Decorating Decors multicolored nonpareils Preparation Heat oven to 350°F (for all pans). Spray 60 mini muffin cups with cooking spray. Make cake batter as directed on box. Divide batter among 4 small bowls, about 1 cup each....

Preparation Invitation suite (a heavy paper stock works best) Bristle brushes Acrylic paint FOR THE ENVELOPES: Dip a dry brush in paint and quickly paint a stroke on the inside flap of the envelope. Continue brushing envelopes assembly-line style with the same paint color. Once envelopes are dry, use the same technique with a second paint color to create a layered look. FOR THE INVITATIONS AND REPLY CARDS: Dilute paint with water and dip brush in paint....

Preparation Follow the step-by-step diagrams below to create this fold that provides built-in storage. The dotted lines show where the creases should appear, while the curved arrows indicate where you need to flip over the fabric. For a crisper look, iron the napkins, using starch, before and after folding. Related Video

Ingredients 1 (24-oz.) Cornish game hen 1 (6-oz.) pkg. seasoned long-grain and wild rice mix 1/4 cup dried cherries 3 tablespoons slivered almonds 1 1/2 cups water 1/2 teaspoon garlic-pepper blend 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup cherry preserves 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar Preparation Heat oven to 375°F. Remove and discard neck and giblets from game hen. With kitchen scissors, cut game hen in half. In ungreased 11x7-inch (2-quart) glass baking dish, combine rice with seasoning from package, cherries, almonds and water; mix well....

Ingredients 1/4 cup cup Bisquick™ Gluten Free mix 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, flattened slightly 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1/2 cup gluten-free shredded Parmesan cheese (4 oz) 1 can (18 oz) Progresso™ High Fiber chicken Tuscany soup Hot cooked gluten-free spaghetti, if desired Preparation Place Bisquick in large resealable food-storage plastic bag. Shake each chicken breast in Bisquick; set aside. Heat oil 12-inch skillet over medium heat....

Ingredients 4 bone-in pork loin chops, trimmed of fat 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt 1 (10 3/4-oz.) can condensed cream of mushroom soup 1 1/4 cups milk 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 (1 lb. 4-oz.) pkg. refrigerated new potato wedges with skins 1 cup frozen sweet peas Preparation Heat oven to 350°F. Sprinkle pork chops with seasoned salt. Spray large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Heat over medium-high heat until hot....

Preparation Long or short, blonde or brown, hair comes in all different shapes, lengths, and textures, each with its own unique best care practices. But curly hair comes with its own set of specific challenges, including everything from nonstop frizz to varying curl intensities that can change as frequently as the weather. And if you don’t know how to care for your curls, you can end up with a different look after every wash....

When talking about Xiao Long Bao, the best known specialty restaurant is probably Din Tai Fung, originating from Taiwan. Din Tai Fung was founded 1958 in Taipei originally as a peanut oil retailer. As time changed and packaged salad oil was introduced, the owners had to subsidize their oil business by selling steamed buns on the side. The delicious steamed buns at Din Tai Fung became so popular it got out of the oil business in the 1980’s and became a full time restaurant business....

Preparation As the father of the bride or groom, one of the biggest roles you have on your child’s wedding day-besides escorting them down the aisle-is to give a toast. The dad’s speech is a beloved tradition that sets the tone for the festivities ahead (whether that’s the rehearsal dinner or the remainder of the reception). Figuring out what to say in your toast can feel overwhelming. After raising your child to the person they are today, you literally have a lifetime of knowledge to condense into one heartfelt speech....

Hiroshima Castle (広島城) is located not far from the Hiroshima station. Like most castles in Japan, it is not an original. The current castle made of concrete was rebuilt in 1958 after the original castle being destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945. My children love visiting Japanese Castles. One of the most amazing and grandest castles we visited was Himeji Castle, and we highly recommend you to visit when you’re in Japan....

We spend our summer in Japan with my family. In case you weren’t aware, the heat during Japanese summers are so brutal; it’s super hot and humid. We lose appetite and become reluctant to cook in the hot kitchen. If you experience similar summer weather, or if you want to eat something light to maintain your figure in the summertime…. this chilled Honey Sesame Shirataki Noodles is a perfect idea for your summer meal!...

Preparation As traditions vary across cultures and locations, there are plenty of questions from wedding guests about what to gift a couple and when to send it. Here are a few of the most common questions we’ve heard, plus some of our best etiquette advice. Now go ahead and gift with confidence. WEDDING RULES YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY FOLLOW (NO, REALLY) Some schools of thought offer that you have up to a year following the wedding to send a gift to the couple....

Preparation When it comes to the furniture you put in your house, you want it to create a certain flow through your space. As Ashley Bowen, lead editorial stylist for Zulily, describes it, your furniture should enable “visual and physical movement within a space, and from one room to the next. It should feel fluid and easy to physically move in and out.” But flow isn’t just about giving you—and your guests—breathing room, says Bowen....

Preparation A reception floor plan is one of the most important tools you’ll create for your wedding day. This allows everyone on your vendor team to have a clear, finalized plan for what they should be doing during installation. Rather than send out something hand-drawn or out of scale, you’ll want to rely on your vendors when it comes time to make this important document. Here’s what you need to know....

Preparation Making homemade dog treats is a simple way to show your dog you care. Whether you’re giving them a biscuit for following commands or just want to spread the love, creating your own homemade treat is easier than you might think. All it takes is seven ingredients to make about five dozen—making enough for every dog in your neighborhood, or for one very good boy or girl. 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 cup wheat germ 1/4 cup brewer’s yeast 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil 1/2 cup low-sodium canned chicken stock, plus more for brushing...

Preparation If you have a vegetable garden, chances are you have a tomato plant—or a few—growing in it. When home grown, the fruit bursts with flavor and produces a vibrant color that store-bought tomatoes just can’t measure up to. While growing tomatoes in your backyard or on your balcony is a gratifying process, it’s important to note that their care requirements go beyond just providing them with proper light, water, soil, and fertilizer....

Mame Gohan (豆ご飯) is a humble dish. As you see, it’s just simple steamed rice with green peas. I remember I didn’t like eating peas that do not come in a pod. I love snap peas and sugar peas as I can eat the crispy and crunchy pod together with the peas inside. The reason is if the peas are not fresh or cooked properly, they are mushy and wrinkly and taste bland....